Post by Citywise Sheriff on Sept 21, 2005 12:26:43 GMT -1
LIVERPOOL are on course for a treble injury boost as Fernando Morientes, Neil Mellor and Harry Kewell edge closer to fitness.
Morientes hasn't been ruled out of a return to the squad for this weekend's trip to Birmingham after recovering from hamstring trouble, while Kewell has a reserve game against Leeds on September 27 in his sights.
Youngster Mellor hasn't started a match since the Carling Cup semi-final first leg last January but expects to return to training in the next fortnight.
With the trio preparing for a comeback, Rafa Benitez could soon have a fully fit squad to choose from for the first time since he arrived at Anfield.
Having scored five goals in 11 starts last season, Mellor's goalscoring ratio was the best at the club before undergoing a delayed operation on both knees to cure tendinitis.
But now he's ready to step up his bid to offer a solution to the current goal drought in the Premiership.
"I hope to be back in training within two weeks," confirmed the youngster today.
"After that, I'm hoping I'll be playing again by the end of October or start of November. There's a reserve game against Manchester City on November 1 and that's the one I'm looking at.
"It's been a frustrating period for me. When I had the operation I was originally hoping to be fit for pre-season, but it's taken a lot longer to heal than I thought.
"There have been times when it's been difficult and I felt gutted to be out so long.
"Now I feel great and there's no pain at all so I'm really looking forward to playing again.
"I hope I can get back to scoring goals and hopefully get a chance to show the boss what I can do."
Morientes hasn't been ruled out of a return to the squad for this weekend's trip to Birmingham after recovering from hamstring trouble, while Kewell has a reserve game against Leeds on September 27 in his sights.
Youngster Mellor hasn't started a match since the Carling Cup semi-final first leg last January but expects to return to training in the next fortnight.
With the trio preparing for a comeback, Rafa Benitez could soon have a fully fit squad to choose from for the first time since he arrived at Anfield.
Having scored five goals in 11 starts last season, Mellor's goalscoring ratio was the best at the club before undergoing a delayed operation on both knees to cure tendinitis.
But now he's ready to step up his bid to offer a solution to the current goal drought in the Premiership.
"I hope to be back in training within two weeks," confirmed the youngster today.
"After that, I'm hoping I'll be playing again by the end of October or start of November. There's a reserve game against Manchester City on November 1 and that's the one I'm looking at.
"It's been a frustrating period for me. When I had the operation I was originally hoping to be fit for pre-season, but it's taken a lot longer to heal than I thought.
"There have been times when it's been difficult and I felt gutted to be out so long.
"Now I feel great and there's no pain at all so I'm really looking forward to playing again.
"I hope I can get back to scoring goals and hopefully get a chance to show the boss what I can do."